What does ‘objection, hearsay’ mean? The meaning of the legal phrase in Johnny Depp and Amber Hear

The defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is being streamed live on YouTube and other outlets, meaning millions of people are ditching regular TV and tuning in.

Depp is suing Heard, his ex-wife, for $50m (£42m) over an article she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018, in which she described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse”. She then counter-sued him for $100m (£80m).

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Many details from the trial are grim. The former couple, who were married from năm ngoái đồ sộ năm 2016, both accuse the other of being physically violent during the relationship. They each deny the other’s claims.

However, there was a moment of light relief in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Monday when Heard’s lawyer accidentally objected đồ sộ his own question.

What did Amber Heard’s lawyer do?

The attorney was questioning Ben King, Depp’s house manager, during Monday’s session.

He was recalling an incident in which Depp’s finger was partially severed in năm ngoái. Depp claims this happened when Heard threw two bottles of vodka at him, while Heard’s lawyers say he injured the finger himself.

Her representative asks Mr King: “You didn’t know what could cause damage đồ sộ Mr Depp’s hand while you were there on 8 March, correct?”

Mr King begins đồ sộ answer, but Heard’s lawyer quickly interjects with “objection, hearsay”.

“But you asked the question,” Judge Penney Azcarate responds.

This prompts laughter from Depp and his team, while the actress’s lawyer stumbles before moving on.

What is a ‘hearsay’ objection?

“Hearsay” is broadly defined as testimony or documents that quote people who are not present in court.

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When the person being quoted is not present, establishing credibility becomes impossible, as does cross-examination.

For this reason hearsay evidence is inadmissible in court.

Gerald Oginski, a Thành Phố New York malpractice lawyer, explains on his website: “When a witness is testifying and is asked a question about a conversation he overheard or participated in, he may say, ‘John told u that the driver went through a red light and caused the accident’.

“The moment he says ‘John told me…’ the attorneys know and the judge knows that what he is about đồ sộ say next is a comment from someone who is not currently in the courtroom and may not be called đồ sộ testify at trial. That’s known as ‘hearsay’.

“The judge will rightfully stop a witness from telling the jury about anything he overheard from someone who is not in court and not planning đồ sộ testify about those comments.”